Amid Torre de Manila fiasco, historian urges developers to work with heritage experts

A historian called on real estate developers and other companies to consult with heritage experts, especially when dealing with historical sites. 

 

"May matutunan tayong lahat sa nangyaring ito na sa susunod na henerasyon, mag-iingat na po ang mga negosyante. Magtulungan po tayo," Order of Knights of Rizal spokesperson Xiao Chua said in an interview with GMA News TV's "Balitanghali" on Friday. 

 

 

The statement came after the Supreme Court ordered a temporary stop to construction activities at the Torre de Manila condominium that mars the visual corridors of Rizal Monument. 

 

The Order of the Knights of Rizal, a public corporation mandated under Republic Act 646 to propagate the teachings, life and works of national hero Jose Rizal, had asked the SC to issue a Temporary Restraining Order against the Torre de Manila condominium project last September 2014. 

 

In his recent interview, Chua made it clear that Knights of Rizal is not against any form of development. But he urged developers to consult heritage experts when dealing with historical sites. 

 

"Ang Knights of Rizal, hindi po kami against any development. Ang heritage, ang kabuhayan, ang pagbabago, ang pag-unlad, ito po ay puwedeng magkaakibat. Puwede po tayo magtulungan at handa po kaming makipagtulungan sa inyo," he said. 

 

"Hindi po ito usapin ng pera eh. Wala pong katumbas ang dangal na ibinibigay ng lugar na ito [Rizal Monument], iyong saysay na ibinibigay sa atin ng lugar na ito," he added. 

 

SC decision

 

Chua also said that the Knights of Rizal will respect whatever the final decision of the SC will be. But the group remains hopeful that the high court will eventually decide to demolish Torre de Manila. 

 

"Ayaw po namin pangunahan ang Korte Suprema, we believe in the wisdom of the Supreme Court kung ano man ang kanyang mapag-desisyunan, igagalang po namin ito. Subalit, naniniwala pa rin kami kasi kung tutuusin, sampung taon po ang inabot ng demolition noong tatlong condominium doon sa may Hagia Sophia sa may Turkey na siyang national monument na parang landmark ng Istanbul, Turkey.

 

"Kung ganoon po ang hihintayin namin, kailangan po maghanda po  tayo, maging vigilant po tayo. Sana po samahan po kami ng bayan hanggang sa huli," he said. — Trisha Macas/JDS, GMA News